"I even missed the weight room!"

Created: 10/21/2022, 4:00 p.m

By: Uli Kellner

Back on the white stage: Raceboarder Cheyenne Loch, 28, from Schliersee.

© Gian Ehrenzeller / dpa

After a year as a snowboard pensioner, she's itching again: Cheyenne Loch is returning to the slopes - to reconcile herself with her sport, as she says.

Spectacular comeback in the Snowboard Germany World Cup team: Cheyenne Loch, 28, is taking early retirement as a professional athlete, which she started in spring 2021, and now wants to give herself the full program again: travel, racing, adrenaline, possibly followed by participation in the 2023 World Cup. In our exclusive interview, the raceboarder from Schliersee reveals what prompted her to do this.

Cheyenne, did you get bored without a kick on the slopes or how did you decide to continue your snowboarding career?

Loch:

The main reason is that I finally feel really healthy again.

At that time I was hurting so much, in constant pain, not only physically but also mentally at a point where I couldn't take it anymore.

Now, after an operation, my foot is working really well again – and the break has also been good for my head.

A lot has happened in these one and a half years.

What exactly besides a successful ankle surgery?

Hole:

What have I been up to?

some!

I rode mountain bikes and skateboards, worked in a bike rental shop and at my mom's ski school.

Last winter I was a trainer for the state squad in snowboard cross.

Then came the surgery – and then I started athletic training again.

Also because my coach Paul Marks always kept the door wide open for me.

Are you now back on the snowboard without pain?

I'm not completely pain free, but mostly.

I can hardly remember when I had so little pain.

That feels really great.

Snowboard comeback Cheyenne Loch.

Loch:

I'm not completely pain-free, but mostly.

I can hardly remember when I had so little pain.

That feels really great.

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Did you have to start from scratch physically and technically, or were you able to draw on the old basics?

Hole:

partly, partly.

A lot has been lost, I have to admit.

It may sound strange, but I notice this year and a half that I've gotten older.

Luckily I was able to build muscle again fairly quickly - the benefit of spending your whole life exercising.

And how did the first turns on the board go?

Loch:

That was also a bigger challenge than I thought (laughs).

I quickly got used to the soft boots because I hadn't been on a race board since I retired.

There's still a little way to go, but I haven't forgotten everything.

In our farewell interview in March 2021, you said, among other things, that the fire in you had gone out.

Even the three podium finishes in the World Cup wouldn't have triggered anything.

Have you rediscovered your old passion?

Loch:

I definitely notice that the motivation is back.

My approach is also completely different now.

It was my own decision to return to the snowboarding circuit, so I can appreciate that now.

It's really fun again!

And what are you most looking forward to?

To the races, the colleagues and competitors, the travelling, even the weight room?

Hole:

On the whole package.

It may sound strange, but I even missed the weight room.

I'm just happy to have a job again.

The task of snowboarding well again.

I can see it getting better day by day.

Will this be a temporary comeback for the upcoming season?

Or do you go about it without limits?

Hole:

Totally open end.

I haven't set myself any targets – and I won't commit myself to anything.

So let's see how long it lasts.

In the world of professional sports, however, there is no goal without goals.

Your immediate goal should be the World Cup in spring 2023 in Georgia.

Hole:

Exactly.

I haven't set myself any concrete goals yet, but it's clear: Participation in the World Cup is definitely a goal.

December 3rd is the start of the World Cup in Livigno - you will almost certainly be at the start.

Are you assuming you'll have to drop one to get back in?

Hole:

Don't write in it (laughs)!

Nobody has said anything so far, but I'll buy a round.

Final question: Is there any score with snowboarding that you would like to settle now?

Loch:

There are definitely a few when I think about it a little longer.

But the main thing is that I want to reconcile myself with snowboarding a bit.

That is my goal.

I want to take the chance to come back with a different perspective.